Boston CityPASS®

Boston CityPASS makes Boston’s main attractions easier to plan: the aquarium and Museum of Science are included, then you pick two more stops from a harbor cruise, an observation deck, a zoo, or Harvard’s natural history museum. You can spread those visits over nine consecutive days, instead of trying to cram four admissions into one busy stretch.

I like two things in particular: the freedom to choose the extra attractions, and the chance to use the pass on separate days. That flexibility can turn a packed sightseeing schedule into a more relaxed one, with room for meals, transit, and a change of plan.

The catch is that $79 is not automatically a bargain for every combination. You also need to arrange your own transportation, and children who qualify for free admission at some venues may not save money with a pass.

• Two attractions are fixed: New England Aquarium and Museum of Science admission are included.
• You choose two more: Pick from a 60-minute historic harbor cruise, View Boston, Franklin Park Zoo, or Harvard Museum of Natural History.
• Nine days means breathing room: The pass works for nine consecutive days starting with your first use.
• The value depends on your choices: The advertised saving is up to 45%, but the total depends on which four attractions you visit.
• It is a ticket pass, not a guided tour: You visit independently, using a mobile ticket or printout.

Four attractions, arranged your way

The pass covers four admissions in all. The New England Aquarium and Museum of Science are the two set stops; for the other two, you choose from Boston Harbor City Cruises, View Boston Observation Deck, Franklin Park Zoo, and Harvard Museum of Natural History.

That choice matters. If you want city views, history on the water, animals, or collections focused on nature and archaeology, you can shape the pass around your interests. You do not have to visit all six attractions, and you should not assume the pass includes all six.

Each admission is for one-time entry. The pass gives you venue information, coupons, and a map, but it does not include transportation, food, or drinks. Think of it as a flexible way to bundle admission, not a package tour with a guide or a ride between stops.

Nine days can make a better Boston visit

Your nine consecutive days begin with the first day you use the pass. That is a useful window: you can visit four attractions over several days rather than racing from one venue to the next. The pass is also valid for a day trip or a short stay, but spreading visits out gives you more room to enjoy each stop.

The listed visit times are estimates, not a schedule you have to follow. The aquarium and Museum of Science are each allotted about four hours, the zoo about four hours, and Harvard Museum of Natural History about three. The harbor cruise is one hour, and View Boston about one hour. Add transit, meals, and the time it takes to get oriented, and you can see why doing everything in one day would feel hurried.

You can visit the attractions in any order, at a time that suits your plans. That freedom is especially useful if the weather, your energy, or a family member’s interests change. Still, check each venue’s current arrangements before setting out. The pass’s broad validity period does not mean every attraction has identical hours or entry procedures.

New England Aquarium: a central tank and close-up animal viewing

The aquarium is one of the two required stops, and a good choice if marine life is high on your list. Its central tank is a distinctive feature, and visitors have particularly enjoyed seeing penguins and sea lions. Allow up to four hours, as the suggested visit time does, especially if you are exploring with children or want to take your time.

The aquarium admission is included, but parking is not. One couple paid $48 for two hours of parking, a sharp reminder that admission savings do not cover the costs around a visit. If you are driving, check parking costs before you go; the pass does not provide parking.

There is also a useful note about a 3D film: one family reported receiving a half-price film on the same day as an aquarium visit. Treat that as something to confirm with the aquarium rather than an included CityPASS benefit. The pass itself covers aquarium admission.

Museum of Science: give the exhibits time

General admission to the Museum of Science’s exhibit halls is included. The suggested visit is about four hours, and that is sensible if you want to explore rather than make a quick circuit. The museum’s broad mix of science exhibits can appeal to different ages, though it may be less compelling for older teens who have outgrown hands-on family attractions.

If you are traveling with children, the museum can be a strong counterpoint to the aquarium: one visit centers on aquatic life, while the other offers science exhibits across a wider range of subjects. If your group includes adults or older teens, consider what kinds of exhibits they enjoy before counting the museum as a guaranteed highlight.

Some visitors have found the reservation process confusing, particularly for the Museum of Science. Check the current instructions in the CityPASS app or on the My CityPASS website before your visit. The admission is included, but it is wise to know the entry steps in advance rather than sort them out at the door.

Choose a harbor cruise for history and a change of pace

Boston Harbor City Cruises is one of your four possible choices, and the pass includes a 60-minute historic sightseeing cruise. It is a compact way to see the harbor and hear about its history, while giving your feet a break from museums and city walking. Several visitors have rated the cruise among their favorite parts of a Boston visit.

Be precise when choosing it: this is a historic sightseeing cruise, not a whale-watching trip. A whale-watching ticket is a different experience, and choosing the wrong cruise can cost you time and money. If the harbor is your priority, confirm that the booking is for the included 60-minute historic tour.

The cruise is a good fit for a mixed-age group or for anyone who wants one attraction that is shorter than a museum visit. It is also a practical way to add variety to your four choices. The pass does not include transport to the departure point, so plan that separately.

View Boston: a one-hour city overview

View Boston Observation Deck admission is another option for one of your two choices. The visit is estimated at about an hour, making it the shortest stop in the group. Its views can help you get a sense of the city’s layout, and that overview may be useful early in a stay when you still have time to adjust your plans.

The observation deck is not a substitute for exploring Boston on foot, but it can complement those walks by showing the city from above. If you prefer museums or outdoor attractions, you may want to spend your two optional admissions elsewhere. If a skyline view is part of your ideal city visit, this is the pass’s clear choice.

Franklin Park Zoo: allow half a day

The zoo is one of the optional attractions, with daytime general admission included if you select it. The suggested visit is about four hours. Families have enjoyed seeing animals at close range, though one family found the zoo less memorable than the aquarium and the cruise. That is a reminder that this choice depends on how much your group enjoys zoos, rather than a guarantee that it will top everyone’s list.

The pass does not include separately ticketed after-hours events. If you are planning around a special evening program, check its ticket requirements and cost separately. Also confirm the zoo’s schedule before making it the centerpiece of a particular day, since a private event or closure can disrupt plans.

Harvard Museum of Natural History: more than one building

This choice includes general admission to permanent and special exhibits and programs, as well as admission to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. The suggested visit is about three hours. The natural history displays are the main draw, but the included archaeology and ethnology collections add more to explore.

Plan for walking between buildings and wear comfortable shoes. The collections are not all concentrated in one room or one building, so a quick stop may leave you feeling that you missed part of the visit. If your interests include natural history, anthropology, archaeology, or technology displays, allow enough time to explore beyond the main exhibits.

Be careful not to confuse this with the Harvard Art Museums. The CityPASS admission is for the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. The Harvard Art Museums are a different institution, so a visit there does not use this pass.

Does $79 save you money?

The stated price is $79 per person, and the pass advertises savings of up to 45% on four attractions. That figure is a maximum, not a promise that every visitor will save 45%. Your actual value depends on which two optional attractions you select and what their regular admission prices are when you visit.

Before buying, decide on your four attractions and compare their individual admission prices with the pass cost. The pass may still save money if you visit only three attractions, but it can lose its advantage if you skip one or choose options with lower individual admission costs. The same calculation matters for children: venues have different minimum ages for free entry, so a child pass may cost more than buying admission at the door.

There is value beyond the arithmetic. One mobile pass can simplify entry, and having attractions paid for in advance can make it easier to use your budget for meals or rideshares. But it does not remove every line or expense. You still need to get between venues, and parking can be costly. The main savings are on the included admissions, not on a complete day out.

Make the pass work for your plans

Download or access your mobile tickets before leaving, and consider keeping the confirmation email available as a backup. Some people have had trouble finding a ticket again in an app after using one attraction, so do not rely on a single screen or assume the app will always work offline. You can also print the tickets for entry.

The pass is generally accessible to most visitors and is near public transportation, but transportation to and from the attractions is not included. Check how far apart your chosen stops are and group them sensibly by day. The pass’s map and venue information can help with planning, but you will still need to work out your routes.

If you do not activate the pass, it expires one year after purchase. Once you start using it, the nine-day validity period begins and runs for nine consecutive days. The experience is nonrefundable and cannot be changed, so settle on your attraction choices and dates before you buy.

Should you book Boston CityPASS?

I would consider Boston CityPASS if you expect to visit the aquarium and Museum of Science, plus two of the optional attractions, and your price comparison shows a real saving. It is especially useful for families or couples who like having admission arranged ahead and want to spread sightseeing across several days.

I would skip it if you are interested in only one or two of the included venues, if your preferred attractions have lower individual admission costs, or if your plans are too uncertain to use four admissions. Pick your two optional stops first, check current entry requirements, and compare the total with individual tickets. That small bit of planning is what turns the pass from a convenient bundle into a genuine bargain.

FAQ

What does Boston CityPASS include?

It includes one-time admission to the New England Aquarium and Museum of Science, plus admission to two attractions you choose: Boston Harbor City Cruises, View Boston Observation Deck, Franklin Park Zoo, or Harvard Museum of Natural History.

How long is the pass valid?

It is valid for nine consecutive days, starting on the first day you use it. A pass that has not been activated expires one year after purchase.

Do I have to visit the attractions in a set order?

No. You can visit the included attractions in any order, at a time that is convenient for you.

Is transportation between attractions included?

No. Transportation to and from the attractions is not included.

Can I use a mobile ticket?

Yes. You can present your mobile ticket on a device or print it for entry.

Does the pass include whale watching?

No. The included Boston Harbor City Cruises option is a 60-minute historic sightseeing cruise, not a whale-watching trip.

Does the Franklin Park Zoo admission include after-hours events?

No. The pass covers daytime general admission. Separately ticketed after-hours events are not included.

Can I get a refund or change my booking?

No. The experience is nonrefundable and cannot be changed.